Printing machine



May 19, 1942. w. F. HUCK PRINTING" MACHINE 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1940 -A1TORNEY May 19, 1942. w, Huc 2,283,501

PRINTING MACX iINE Filed Sept. 14, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A ORNEY Patented May 19, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT ,orrlca PRINTING MACHINE William F. Huck, Richmond Hill, N.'Y., assignor to B. Hoe & 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York I Application September 14, 1940, Serial No. 356,743

- 16 Claims. (01. 210-) This invention relates to printing machines, especially machines for rotary intaglio-printing,

and more particularly to improved drive and registering mechanisms .for machines of this nature.

One object of this invention is to provide improved drive and registering mechanisms for a printing machine, whereby the speed of the web carried between the impression rollers and the printing or form cylinders of the units of a multicolor printing machine, will be more uniform and the impressions printed by each unit will be more accurately registered with the impressions printed by the'other units.

Another object is to provide a registering mechanism of the above nature whereby the feed of the web passing between the impression roller and the form cylinder of each unit is maintained constant during the rotary adjustment of the form cylinder to register the impressions printed by one unit with those printed by another.

Still another object is to provide in a registering mechanism of the above nature, means to impose a positive driving force upon the web between the impression roller and the form cylinder, to offset the action of the form cylinder upon the web while it is being adjusted to correct misregister of the impressions.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a drive and registering mechanism of the above nature; means to drive the impression roller at the proper speed to maintain the feed of the .web between the impression roller and the form cylinder substantially constant, while means is acting on the form cylinder to rotatab'ly adjust it to register impressions, and means to control the operation of the impression roller driving means, whereby it will be in operation only when the form cylinder adjusting means is in action and the machine is running.

A still further object is to provide in a printbeing understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic layout of a printing machine embodying the features and principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view partly broken away showing a printing unit of the machine;

Figure 3 is'a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows 3 of Figure 2 with parts broken away;

Figure 4 is a circuit dia ram showing the electrical controls for the web driving means, the cylinder registering motor, and the impression roller driving means; 1

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, but disa closing a somewhat, modified form of drive mechanism for an impression roller;

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of fordthe form of mechanism shownin Figure 5; an

Figure 7 is a view showing still another form of drive mechanism for an impression roller.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, and especially to Figure 1,

the numeral II denotes a web roll supporting ing machine the combination of control means to, simultaneously interrupt the feed of the web through each unit, and other means to control the drive of the impression roller.

It is also an object of this invention to provide improved drive and registering mechanisms for printing machines, that are simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eii'icient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

reel, upon which is mounted a web roll l2, from which a web i3 is led over suitable guide rollers I to a first printing unit l5. From the unit l5, the web I3 is guided by guide rollers I6 to a second printing unit l1, and then by guide rollers I8, is and 2|, to subsequent printing units 22, 23 and 24 respectively. From the unit 24, the web It is guided by rollers 25, turning bars 28 and rollers 21 to a folding mechanism 28.

The printing units l5, I1, 23 and 24 are substantially identical in structure and, as is usual, are arranged to be operated from a common drive shaft 29, which, in this instance, extends along past each unit substantially parallel with the direction of the feed of the web l3. The web roll l2 as shown herein, is acted upon by a driven belt 3| and the web l3 leading to and from the unit I5, is fed along by driven rollers 32 and 33. The belt 3! is driven by a pulley 34 which with the rollers 82 and 33, is arranged to be driven from the common drive shaft 29 through a pair of vbevel'gears 35, a vertical shaft 36, and

the controls 39, and pairs of bevel gears 4|, 42 and 43, and a horizontal shaft 44 respectively. A magnetic clutch 45 is interposed between sections of the vertical shaft 36 to interrupt the drive of the pulley 86 and the rollers 32 and-33 to stop the feed of the web I3.

The web i3, at each of the units I7, 22, 23 and 24 is also fed to and from the respective units by driven rollers 46 and 41. The rollers 46 and 4? at each unit are driven from the common shaft 29 by means of a pair of bevel gears 48, a vertical shaft 49 and pairs of bevel gears 52 and 53 respectively. In rotogravure printing machines it is desirable not to stop the rotation of the form cylinder during short interruptions of press operation, thereby avoiding drying of the ink on the cylinder. This is accomplished by throwing off the impression on the printingcylinders and. disconnecting web feeding and folding mechanisms from the driving shaft of the machine. I

Magnetic clutches 54, 55,56 and 51 interposed between sections of thevertical shafts 49 at each unit respectively are provided to interrupt the drive of the rollers 46 and 41, to stop the feed of the web I3. The web I3 as it enters the folder 28 is fed along by a driven roller 58 which is driven from the common drive shaft 29, through a pair of bevel gears 59, a vertical shaft 6|, and pairs of bevel gears 62 and 63. A magnetic clutch 64 is interposed between sections of the vertical shaft 6| to interrupt the drive of the roller 58 to stop the feed of the web l3 at this point. In Figure 4 all of the magnetic clutches 45, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 64 are shown connected in series and are deenergized by opening a switch 65, but. in some cases it is preferable to connect them in multiple.

Each printing unit includes an ink fountain ed to run partly in a supply of ink contained in the fountain 66, an impression roller 68, a prestically in brackets 14 secured to the verticallyslidable carrier 1|, whereby when the carrier H is raised, the pressure cyilnder 69 is lifted out of contact with the impression roller 68 and the impression roller is then raised out of contact with the form cylinder 61.

The form cylinder 61 is adapted to be rotated from the common drive shaft 29 by means of meshing bevel gears 15 and I6 respectively, secured on the common drive shaft 29, and to a spur gear 11 (see Figure 3) The gear TI is secured to a shaft 18 and meshes with a gear 79 secured as by a key,8| to a short horizontal shaft 82, journaled at one end in a frame member 83. A pinion 84 is secured, as by a key 85, to the other end of the shaft 82 and is in mesh with each of a set of planetary gears 86, 81 and 88 which are freely rotatable on stud shafts 89 carried by and extending from a gear member 9|, which, in this instance, has gear teeth 92 formed upon its periphery, and is journaled in a machine frame 93 by means of a centrally disposed hub member 94. The planetary gears 96, 81 and 88 all mesh with internal gear teeth 95 of a ring gear 96, which is carried on and by a wheel 91 rotatably supported on the shaft 82 between the gear 66, a form, design or printing cylinder 61, mount- 2,288,601 r pairs of bevel gears 31, 38 and a horizontal shaft I9 and the pinion 94. External teeth 98 of the ring gear 96 are in mesh with a gear 99 secured upon the shaft |0I of the form cylinder 67.

From the above, it is obvious that the form cylinder 61 may be rotated from the shaft 29 through the bevel gears 15 and I6, the gear 11, the gear 19, the shaft 82, the pinion 84, the planetary gears 86, 81 and 88, the ring gear 96, the gear 99 and the shaft |0|, provided the gear member 9| is held stationary. It is also obvious that rotation of the gear member 9| in either direction will vary the register of the form cylinder of the unit with which it is associated in respect to the register of the form cylinders of the other units.

An electrical motor I02, preferably one of the type having a self contained reducing gear and an automatically operated brake that is set when the motor is stopped, is provided to hold the gear member 9| stationary, or to rotate it to change the register of the form cylinder Bl. The motor I02 is drivingly connected to the gear member 9| through a pinion I03 secured on the motor shaft I04 and which meshes with a gear I05,

secured to one end of a shaft I06 journaled in the frame 93,. A pinion I01 secured on the other end of the shaft I06 is in mesh with the teeth 92 on the periphery of the gear member 9|. When the motor I02 is stopped and its brake set, the gear member QI is held stationary, and the form cylinders 61 of all units are rotated in unison, but when the motor I02 of one of the units is operated, the form cylinder 61 of that unit is rotated to either accelerate or decelerate its normal movement of rotation, thus changing its registration with respect to the form cylinders of the other printing units.

Under normal operating conditions, the Web I3 is being fed between the form cylinder 61 and the impression roller 68 of each unit at a constant and uniform speed and its tension is substantially uniform. If, while such conditions are existing, it becomes necessary to adjust one of the form cylinders 61 by superimposing a rotative movement thereon, in order to correct register, a tension will be imposed upon the web I3, either ahead of, or beyond the line of contact of the web with the form cylinder 61 and the impression roller 68, and a corresponding lessening of the tension on the other side of the line. This disturbance of normal conditions is objectionable and affects the quality of the product. Over-correction is often made in such instances, requiring a reverse operation of the cylinder adjusting means, and during theinterval these opposite adjustments are being made and before correct register is obtained, a considerable number of copies will have been printed having impressions thereon that are not in register, and thus considerable waste results.

The disadvantageous conditions mentioned are the result of the usual practice of not positively driving'tlie impression roller 68 at the speed of the machine, but rather through the web I3 from the form cylinder 61. Thus an increase or decrease in speed given to the form cylinder 61, while adjusting it into register with those of the other units will be imposed on the impression roller 68 with the result that the web will either be more rapidly pulled along, or'its normal feed will be retarded while each register correction is being made. To obviate this disadvantage, and in accordance with the features and principles of this invention, the improved mechanism now to be described has been provided, where- One of the principal functions of the improved mechanism of this invention-is to hold the web at its normal feeding speed while the form cylinder is being adjusted. 'I'hisfunctionis obtained by providing means to maintain the normal speed of the impression roller '68 constant during the adjusting operation of the form cylinder 61. In

' the form shown in Figures 1-4 inclusive, this is done through the pressure cylinder. 39, which is in frictional driving engagement with the impression roller 68 whenthe carrier 1| is down and the respective unit is in operation to print upon the web I3.

A bevel gear I08 is secured upon the pressure cylinder shaft I09 and is constantly in mesh with a bevel gear III secured upon the lower end of a vertical shaft H2 journaled in a bearing H3 on the slidable carrier H. The shaft H2 is connected at its upper end to one member of a magnetic clutch H4, th other member of which is connected to a vertical shaft H5 journaled in a bearing H5 also mounted on the carrier H. The shaft H5 extends upwardly and has a spur gear H1 slidably keyed thereto, to allow for the movement of the slidable carrier 1I when it is moved upwardly to separate the impression roller 68 from the form cylinder 61.

The gear I1 is in mesh with a spur gear H8 secured upon the vertical shaft 49 at each unit and below the respective magnetic clutch 54, 55, 56 or 51. In this manner, the impression roller 51 may be positively driven in synchronism with all of the units from the'common drive shaft 29 whenever the magnetic clutch H4 is energized to drivingly connect the shafts H2 and H5.

A series of register marks are printed in the usual manner upon the web I3 by the printing unit I1 and an electrical device H9, such as a photo-electric cell, responsive to these marks, is provided at each of the units 22, 23 and '24. A disc I2I having a register mark thereon, corresponding in angular spacing to the register marks on the form cylinder of the printing unit I1, is-secured on the form cylinder shaft IOI of each of the printing units 22, 23 and 24, in position to act upon another similar electrical device I22, which is responsive thereto. The devices H9 and I22 act in a well-known manner upon a polarized relay I23 (see-Figure 4) to close switches I24 and I25 respectively, to cause operation of the motor I02 in either direction. The arrangement is such that whenever the motor I02 is energized to cause its operation ineither direction, the magnetic clutch H4 is energized to connect the shafts I l2andI I5.

Both of the switches I24 and I25 are connected to the line wire LI by a common conductor I23 and by conductors I21 and I28 t0 solenoids I29 and I3I respectively, each adapted to close a plurality of motor control switches. The solenoids I29 and I3I are connected to the line wire L2 by a common conductor I32 through the switch 05. The solenoid I29, which will be asterminal I39. of the motor armature is connected by a conductor I4I to the switch I34, which-is connected by a conductor I42 to the line wire LI. The switch I35 is connected by the conductor I42 to the line wire LI, and by a conductor I43 to the magnetic clutch H4, which is connected by a conductor I44 to the field of the motor I02, the field of the motor I02 being connected to the'line wire L2.

The solenoid I3I, which will be assumed as the one actuating the switches controlling reverse rotation of the motor I02, when energized, closes switches I45, I45 and I41. The switch I45 is connected to the line wire L2 through the conductors I30, I32, and the switch 55, and to the armature terminal I39 of the motor through a conductor I48. The other motor armature terminal I31 is connected through a conductor I49 to the switch I46, which is connected by the conductor I42 to the line wire LI. 3

The switch I41 is connected by the conductor I42 to the line wire LI and by a conductor I5I, through the conductor I43 to the magnetic clutch H4, and then through the conductor I44 sumed as the one actuating the switches controlling forward rotation of themotor I02, when energized, closes switches I33, I34 and I35. The switch I33 is connected to the line wire L2 by a conductor I35, the conductor I32, and the switch 65, and to one terminal I31 of the armature of the motor I02 by a conductor I38. The other and field of the motor I02 to the line wire L2.

Assuming that the printing machine of the form shown in Figures 1-4 inclusive is in normal operation and that misregistration occurs at the printing unit 22, requiring that its form cylinder 61 be advanced slightly to dispose its design in register with that of the form cylinder of unit I1, the following action takes place. The electrical device H9 at unit 22 detects the register mark that was printed by the unit I1, and due to the responsive action of the electrical device H9, imposes an impulse on the relay I23, tending to close the switch I24. Due to misregistration, the device I22 is not at this instant detecting a coresponding mark on the disc I2I, and consequently does not impose an impulse on the relay I23 to counteract the one imposed by the.

device H9. In'consequence of this, the switch I24 is closed to energize the solenoid I29, where upon the switches I33, I34 and I35 are closed.

Closing of the switches I33, I34 and I35, as above described, energizes the motor I02 to rotate it forwardly, and at the same time, energizes the magnetic clutch H4 to drivingly connect the shafts I I2 and I I5 to positively drive the pressure cylinder 09 and through it, the impression roller 03. Rotation of the impression roller 58 through its frictional engagement with the web It (it being covered with rubber or similar material), will hold the feed of the web constant, while the form cylinder 91 is being advanced by the action of the motor I02 through the gears I03, I05, I01 and the gear member 9|, as above described.

As soon as the design on the cylinder 61, being adjusted, is again in register with that on the form cylinder of the preceding unit, the'devices H9 and I22 simultaneously detect the respective register marks on the web I3 and on the disc I2I, and the impulses on the relay I23 occur simultaneously, and no motion of the relay I23 results to close either of the switches I24 or I25. Obviously, a reverse operation takes place when the device I22 detects a mark on the disc I2.I ahead of the detection of a mark on the web I3 by the device H9. In such an instance, the switch I25 is closed, whereby the solenoid I3I is energized to close the switches I45, I46 and I41,

mounted on the cylinder-shaft maintain the web speed constant through the positive driving of the pressure cylinder 68.

Whenever acondition arises necessitating the raising of the impression rollers 68 and the stopping of the feed of-the web I3, the switch 65 is opened, whereby the magnetic clutches 4."), 64, 55, 56, 51 and 64 are deenergized and released. The gears H1 and H8, inthis instance, are constantly being driven from the common drive shaft 29, but as the form cylinder 61 and the impression roller are separated and the magneticv clutches II4 are normally in released position, no tendency to feed the web I3 at this point in each unit exists. As opening of the switch 65, also opens the circuit through the solenoids I29 and I3I, .these solenoids cannot be energized to close the respective switches I33, I34, I35 and I45, I46, I41, to actuate the motor I02. Those versed in the art will understand that the switch 65 may be operated electrically and connected with the controller for a motor that drives the printing machine, so that the switch 65 will not be closed except when the printing machine is being operated.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 5, the magnetic clutches 54, 65, 56 and 51 are interposed between sections of the shaft 49 below the spur gear II8, between it and the common drive shaft 29. The bevel gear III is secured upon the lower end of a shaft I6I, to the upper end of which the gear H1 is slidingly'secured. In this arrangement, the pressure cylinders 69 are connected to the shafts 49 whenever the clutches 54, 55, 56 and 51 are engaged and will be driven-thereby at all times that the web feeding rollers are operating to forward the web. This arrangement provides the same control of theweb as the arrangement shown in Figure 1, while making register adjustments of the form cylinder 61, and may be used in instances where it is not objectionable to have a direct driving connection on the pressure cylinder whenever the web is being forwarded. As the impression roller 68 is out of engagement with the form cylinder 61, whenever the-carrier TI is raised, no drag will be imposed upon the web at this point by the form cylinder 61, when the web I3 is stopped.

In this form, a pair of contacts I62 and I63 are shown adjacent a cam disc I64, which is IOI to rotate therewith. The contacts I62 and I63 are adapted to be closed by a cam surface I65 provided on the disc I64 and located thereon in register with the impressions on the form cylinder 61. The contact I62 (see Figure 6)' is connected by a conductor I66 to one end of a relay coil I61 adapted to actuate a switch I68 to close a circuit between a conductor I69 connected to the line wire LI and the conductor i28 leading to the motor control solenoid I3I. The other contact I63 is connected to the line wire L2. Another switch "I, also connected to the line wire LI by the conductor I69 is connected by the conductor I21 to the motor control solenoid I29. The switch "I is adapted to be actuated by a portion of the relay coil I61, the other'end of which is connected 'by a conductor I12 to a switch. I13 Intermediate its ends, the relay coil I61 is connected by the conductor I69'to the line wire LI. The switch I13 is connected to the line wire L2 and is adapted to be actuated by a solenoid I14 connected to the photo-cell device II9 to be energized thereby.

When the contacts I62 and I63 are closed by the cam surface I65 and the solenoid I14 is portions of the relay coil I61 oppose each other,

and neither the switch I68 nor the switch I" is closed. However, 'when the impressions are out or register, either the switch I68 or the switch "I will be closed to energize the-motor I02 to correct this condition, as-in the previously described form. I

The form illustrated in Figure '1 is similar to the form shown in Figure 1, but in this form the impression roller is geared to the vertical driving shaft. The clutch 54 is above a gear I8I secured on the vertical shaft 49, which is in mesh withan idler gear I82 which, in turn, is in mesh with a gear I83 slidablymountedon the end of a shaft I84 carried by the carrier H. The connection between the gear I83 and the shaft I84 is such that the shaft I84 is adapted to slide through the gear when the .carrier H is raised. A magnetic clutch H4 is adapted to connect the shaft I84 with a shaft I85, which has a bevel gear I86 upon its lower end, and which is also axially slidable thereon to be constantly in mesh with a bevel gear I81 secured upon the end of .the shaft I88 of the impression roller 68. The electrical control circuits for the form shown in Figure 7 are the same as those shown in Figure 4, whereby the clutch H4 is energized to directly drive the impression roller 68 whenever the motor I02 is energized to register the impressions.

In all forms, the vertical shaft 49 at each unit constitutes the common drive means for the impression roller 68 and the web feeding rollers 46 and 41. The shafts 49 in all being positively driven from the common drive shaft 29, insure. that the web at and between the various printing units will be driven at a constantly uniform speed.

. It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, refer- 1. The combination with a first printing unit, adapted to print an indicating mark upon a I web, a second printing unit having a form cylinder and an impression roller cooperating with the form cylinder to print upon the web, a common drive shaft for the printing units, and mechanism operatively disposed between the drive shaft and the form cylinder of the second unit for producing additive and subtractive increments of movements of the form cylinder relative to the drive shaft, of means to drive the impression roller, and means responsive to the mark printed on the web for controlling the actuation of the said mechanism and the impression roller driving means. 4

2. The combination with a first printing unit adapted to print an indicating mark upon a web, a second printing unit having a form cylinder and an impression roller cooperating with the form cylinder to print upon the web, a common drive shaft for said printing units, and mechanism operatively disposed between the drive shaft and the form cylinder of the second unit for producing additive and subtractive increments of movement of the form cylinder relative to the drive shaft, of means to drive the impression roller, a member having an indicating mark rotatable with the form cylinder, and meansresponsive to the indicating marks on the web and on the member, for controlling the actuation of the said mechanism and the impression roller driving means.

3. In a printing machine, a rotatable form cylinder, an impression roller cooperating with the form cylinder, means to rotate the form cylinder at a determined and constant speed, means to increase and decrease the speed of the form cylinder to adjust it .relatively to a web running between it and the impression roller, connecting means adapted to drivingly connect the cylinder rotating means with the impression roller to rotate the impression roller at the determined constant speed, and control means arranged to actuate the connecting means. when the cylinder speed increasing and decreasing means is actuated.

4. In a printing machine, a. rotatable form cylinder, an impression roller cooperating withthe form cylinder to act upon a web running therebetween, means to rotate the form cylinder substantially at-the speed of the running web,means to vary the speed of the form cylinder, and means operable only when the form cylinder speed varying means is actuated, to drive the impression roller substantially at the speed of the running web.

5. In a printing machine, a rotatable form cylinder, an impression roller cooperating with the form cylinder to act upon a web running therebetween, means to rotate the form cylinder substantially at the speed of the mnning web, means to vary the speed of the form cylinder, means operable only when the form cylinder speed varying means is actuated, to drive the impression roller substantially at the speed of ing in synchronism with the form cylinder to unit to connect the impression roller with the driving means.

- 9. In a web printing machine, a plurality of printing units, each including a form cylinder,

- an impression roller normally driven by contact with the web, feed rollers to feed the web to and from engagement with the form cylinder and the impression roller, means to drive all of the form cylinders and feed rollers, means'at each unit to connect the impression roller with the driving means, and means to simultaneously disconnect the feed rollers of all of the units from the driving means without disconnecting the form cylinders.

10. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing units, each including a rotatable form cylinder, an impression'roller and driven rollers to feed a web to and-from engagement with the form cylinder and the impression roller, a common drive for all of the printing units, common means at each unit' to drive the driven rollers and the impression roller, and means responsive to a mark on the web to connect th impression roller with the common driving means.

11. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing units, each including a rotatable form cylinder, a mechanism to produce additive and subtractive increments of movement of the form cylinder relative to the web, an impression roller and driven rollers to feed a web to and from engagement with the form cylinder and the impression roller, a common drive for all of the printing units, common means at each unit to drive th driven rollers and the impression roller,

means responsive to a mark on the web to connect the impression roller with the common driving means, and means responsive to a mark movactuate the said mechanism.

the running web, and means responsive to 'a I printed mark on the running web and a mark rotating in synchronism with the form cylinder, to control the form cylinder speed varying means and the impression roller driving means.

6. In a printing machine, a rotatable form cylinder, an impression roller cooperating with the cylinder to act upon a web running therebetween, means to rotate the cylinder substantially at the speed of the running web, means to vary the speed of the cylinder, and means to maintain the running web at its normal speed when th cylinder speed varying means is being actuated.

7. In a printing machine, a rotatable form cylinder, an impression roller cooperating with the cylinder to act upon a web running therebetween,

means to rotate the cylinder substantially at thespeed of the running web, means to vary the speed of the cylinder, means to maintain the running web at its normal speed when th cylinder speed varying means is actuated, and means responsive to a printed mark on the running web and a mark rotating with the cylinder to control the cylinder speed varying means and the said web speed maintaining means.

8. In a web printing machine, a plurality of printing units, each including a form cylinder, an impression roller normally driven by contact with the web, feed rollers to feed the web to and from engagement with the form cylinder and the the impression roller, means to 'drive all of the 12. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing units, each including a rotatable form cylinder, a mechanism to produce additive and subtraot'ive increments of movement of the form cylinder relative to the web, an impression roller and driven rollers to feed a web to and from engagement with the form cylinder and the impression roller, a common drive for all of the printing units, common means at each unit to drive the driven rollers and the impression roller, means responsive to a mark on the web to connect the impression roller with the common driving means, means responsive to a mark rotating with the form cylinder to actuate the said mechanism, means to simultaneously disconnect the driven rollers of each unit from the common driving means, and control means to actuate the disconnecting means and to prevent actuation of the said mechanism.

13. In a printing machine having a plurality of printing units, a web supply reel carrying a web roll, and a web cutting and folding mechanism, rotatable means to control the rotation of the web roll, a driven roller to feed-the web at each of the printing units, a driven roller to feed the web at the folding mechanism, a comcylinders and feed rollers, and means at each drive shaft, and means to simultaneously disconnect all of the common driving means at each unit, the web roll rotation controlling means, and the driven roller at the folding mechanism from the common drive shaft.

14. 'In a printing machine having a plurality of printing units, a web supply reel carrying a web roll, and a web cutting and folding mechanism, rotatable means to control the rotation of the web roll, a driven roller to feed the web at each of the printing units, a driven roller to feed the web at the folding mechanism, a common drive shaft for the units and the folding mechanism, each unit including a printing cylinder and an impression roller, means to rotatably adjust the form cylinder to register the design thereon with impressions on the web, common driving means at each unit for driving the impression roller and the driven roller thereof from the common drive shaft, means to drive the web roll rotation controlling means from the common drive shaft, means to drive the driven roller at the folding mechanism from the common drive shaft, means to simultaneously disconnect all of the common driving means at each unit; the web roll rotation controlling means, and the driven roller at the folding mechanism from said common drive shaft, and to prevent the actuation of the cylinder adjusting means.

15. In a rotogravure printing machine having a plurality of printing units arranged to print on a web, each unit having a form cylinder, an impression cylinder, and rotary paper forwarding members, a main driving means, means including register adjusting gears connectingthe main driving means and the form cylinder and operable to increase and alternately to decrease the speed of the form, cylinder to effect register correction, and a disconnectible driving connection adapted to connect the main driving means with means for driving the impression roller and the paper forwarding members; the disconnectible driving connection being adapted to permit rotation of the form cylinder without operating the impression roller or the paper forwarding members.

i 16. In a rotary intaglio web printing machine, a plurality of printing units, a common drive connected to all of the printing units, each unit including an impression roller normally driven by contact with the web, a form cylinder connected to the common drive, feed rollers connected to the common drive to feed a web to and from engagement with the form cylinder and the impression roller, means at each unit to connect the impression roller with the common drive, and means to disconnect the feed rollers from the drive.

WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

